C4 site subjects politicians to truth test

Wednesday 30 March 2005 03.32 EST
First published on Wednesday 30 March 2005 03.32 EST

Channel 4 today launches a website that will enable voters to check the factual basis of politicians' claims in the run-up to the general election.

The FactCheck website, which has been inspired by a similar online venture launched in the US in 2003, has been set up to inform voters about the factual accuracy of claims politicians make in speeches, press conferences and press releases.

Channel 4 has commissioned ITN, which makes Channel 4 News, to run the website until polling day, which is expected to be May 5.

"We believe FactCheck will be an important service to the public during the election period. With so many statements flying around, it is often difficult for the voter to know where the truth lies," said Dorothy Byrne, the head of news and current affairs at Channel 4.

ITN has hired Jon Bernstein, the former editor-in-chief of the Directgov website, to lead the FactCheck team of researchers and political journalists.

Mr Bernstein said: "Our aim is that Channel 4's FactCheck will make an important contribution to the public debate by providing the most reliable information and analysis for the upcoming political contest."

FactCheck has been inspired by FactCheck.org, the US site that won praise during last year's presidential election for holding both the Republican and Democrat candidates to account.

Visits to FactCheck.org shot up after Dick Cheney referred to the website during a vice-presidential debate.

FactCheck.org is run by a small Washington-based team, led by Brooks Jackson, a former Associated Press, Wall Street Journal and CNN journalist.

A non-partisan and non-profit organisation, it is backed by the Annenberg Public Policy Centre of the University of Pennsylvania.